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Last year, we saw the rise of a mysterious polio-like illness affecting dozens of children around the U.S., while the work of a Chinese scientist led to serious ethical questions about gene editing.
Medical breakthroughs like health devices you can wear and 3-D printing show the increasing power of technology in healthcare. Dr. Tara Narula joins “CBS This Morning” for a look at the medical stories that will affect our lives in 2019.
The use of immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment.
The medical industry is a constantly evolving field that is always on the lookout for new technologies and strategies to enhance patient care. In 2019, there will be a range of medical breakthroughs that are set to revolutionize the healthcare sector in the coming years, making it brighter for the millions of people who need it.
Here are some of the most promising medical advancements that are expected to make an impact in 2019:
1. Immunotherapy
One of the most promising medical breakthroughs is immunotherapy which finds vast application in cancer treatment. This breakthrough enables the training of a patient’s immune system to kill cancer cells. This is a shift from the traditional chemotherapy or surgery that might kill healthy cells alongside the cancerous ones.
2. Gene editing
Gene editing is a new technology that manipulates the DNA of living cell thereby causing alterations that could mean the eradication of diseases that previously were believed to be incurable. The technology has amazing possibilities for applications in the fields of gene therapy, personalized medicines, food technology, among others.
3. Artificial intelligence in medicine
Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve the accuracy and speed of medical diagnoses. Healthcare providers could use AI to analyze medical records and provide doctors and nurses with patient-centric options.
4. Electronic health records
Electronic health records make it easier for healthcare providers to obtain information about patients in real-time, which enables them to provide preventative care or react to problems proactively. This digital revolution has the potential to reduce medical errors and lower health costs tremendously.
5. Personalized medication
Personalized medication is medication customized to meet the specific needs of an individual, their genetic code, lifestyle, and environment. This will lead to fewer cases of adverse reactions from medication and, more personalized care tailored to individual patients.
6. Portable healthcare devices
In the past, healthcare could only be accessed from healthcare facilities. Thanks to portable healthcare devices, people can now monitor their health from home or anywhere in the world. The growing availability of these devices means people can identify potential problems before they become serious, ensuring early intervention and better overall health outcomes.
7. Digital healthcare delivery
As telemedicine and digital healthcare gain traction, it is clear that people want to be able to manage their health on their terms. These new methods of healthcare delivery mean that people can access medical care without having to visit a doctor’s office or clinic.
In conclusion, 2019 promises to be an exciting year for the medical industry. Innovation and technology advancements will lead to significant contributions to patient care and prevention of diseases. These developments will bring about new treatments, personalization of care, and accessibility to healthcare for many people around the world. While it remains to be seen which of the medical advancements will drive the industry’s growth in 2019 and beyond, it is clear that the future of healthcare is full of endless possibilities.
